Graduate School
Considering an advanced degree?
Navigating graduate and professional school requires careful planning and self-assessment. The Center for Career Education (CCE) supports students and alums through every phase of the research, timeline, application, and decision-making process.
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Application Timeline at a Glance
Application deadlines vary by field and degree type, but this general timeline will keep your application strategy on track.
Junior Year (Year Prior to Applying)
Explore and research options.
- Research: Identify target programs and consult faculty, alums, and industry professionals.
Rising Seniors (Summer Prior to Applying)
Standardized testing and drafting materials.
- Exams: Review for and take standardized tests.
- Drafting: Write initial drafts of personal statements and application essays.
- Organization: Gather application materials, identify key deadlines, and visit target schools.
- Registration: Register with centralized application portals (e.g., law, medicine, social work).
Senior Year: First Semester (Fall)
Submitting materials and fellowships.
- Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from faculty and supervisors.
- Testing: Retake or complete standardized tests if necessary (e.g., LSAT in June or October).
- Funding: Apply for Vassar and national fellowships.
- Finalize: Polish personal statements, order transcripts via the Registrar, and submit applications.
Senior Year: Second Semester (Spring)
Interviews and decision-making.
- Follow-Up: Confirm application files are complete and submit final fall semester transcripts.
- Interviews and Visits: Participate in program interviews and visit schools where accepted.
- Commitment: Select your program, send enrollment deposits, and submit registration materials.
Decision Framework
Phase 1: Should You Go?
Self-Assessment Checklist
- Your Core Motivation: Are you applying because you love the subject or need the credential? (Avoid using grad school solely to postpone entering the job market).
- Industry Requirements: Is an advanced degree mandatory (e.g., Medicine, Law, Physical Therapy), or does real-world work experience carry more weight in your field?
- Timing & Readiness: Would taking 1–3 years off to work clarify your goals? (Note: Many top MBA programs require prior full-time work experience).
- Full-Time vs. Part-Time: Full-time study offers immersive cohort access and fellowship options; part-time study allows you to work simultaneously and potentially leverage employer tuition reimbursement.
Funding and Financial Aid
- Fellowships & Scholarships: Offered through academic departments, institutions, and outside funding bodies. Explore nationally competitive and Vassar-specific fellowships for graduate study.
- Graduate Assistantships (TAs / RAs): Part-time campus employment providing stipends and/or tuition waivers.
Phase 2: Researching Programs and Resources
Research Databases and Test Prep
- Program Databases: Search programs on Peterson’s and GradSchools.com.
- Rankings: Access U.S. News & World Report rankings by emailing cce@vassar.edu with your name and class year for premium access.
- Test Prep Resources:
10 Program Evaluation Factors
Criteria
Questions to Ask
Faculty Specialties
Are professors actively conducting research in your subfield of interest?
Method of Study
Does the curriculum focus on theory, clinical practice, research, or hands-on application?
Career Outcomes
Where do graduates work, and what job search support does the institution provide?
Flexibility
Can you tailor your elective choices or take coursework outside the department?
Financial Support
What percentage of incoming students receive assistantships, grants, or tuition waivers?
Academic Support
Are lab spaces, computing facilities, and library collections updated and accessible?
Location & Network
Can you envision living in the region for 2–7 years while building a local network?
Reputation
Is the program nationally or regionally recognized in your field?
Phase 3: Application Materials and CCE Services
Application Component
Action Steps & CCE Guidance
CCE Resources
Resume or CV
Highlight relevant research, academic projects, leadership, and work experience.
Personal Statement / Essay
Articulate your background, goals, and field preparation. Expect to write multiple drafts.
Official Transcripts
Order transcripts early from the Registrar’s Office and any prior institutions. Request before semester-end grading holds.
Letters of Recommendation
Request 2–3 letters from faculty/supervisors early in the process. Provide them with your resume, goals, school list, and key deadlines.
Note: As of Fall 2023, the CCE no longer stores or sends new letters of recommendation. Students must coordinate direct submissions with their letter writers per each program’s guidelines.
Mastering the Graduate School Interview
5 Keys to Interview Success
- Know the Faculty: Research specific professors whose work aligns with your academic goals.
- Define Your Focus: Be prepared to articulate your intended area of research or specialization.
- Address Transcripts: Be ready to explain any grade glitches or gaps in a clear, positive manner.
- Prepare Questions: Ask meaningful questions about departmental culture, research support, and decision timelines.
- Practice: Review the sample questions below and schedule a mock interview with the CCE prior to your interview date.
- Tell me about yourself and why you chose our program.
- How have your academic background and prior experiences prepared you for graduate study?
- What specific topic or area do you plan to specialize in for your research/thesis?
- What other graduate or professional schools are you considering?
- How will you make a meaningful contribution to this field?
- What are your long-term career goals, and how will this degree help you achieve them?
- What are your greatest academic strengths and weaknesses?
- What do you anticipate will be your greatest challenge if accepted into this program?